u.s. marines climb a sand dune to set up a support by fire position during a helicopter assault training course near camp buehring, kuwait, sept. 3, 2009. the marines are assigned to lima company, battalion landing team, 3rd battalion, 2nd marine regiment, 22nd marine expeditionary unit. the unit is ashore in kuwait conducting sustainment training while serving as the reserve force for u.s. central command. (u.s. marine corps photo by cpl. theodore ritchie)


u.s. marines launch a shoulder-fired, multipurpose assault weapon toward enemy targets during a helicopter assault training course near camp buehring, kuwait, sept. 3, 2009. )u.s. marine corps photo by cpl. theodore ritchie)


u.s. marines engage enemy targets during a helicopter assault training course near camp buehring, kuwait, sept. 3, 2009. (u.s. marine corps photo by cpl. theodore ritchie)


a u.s. marine climbs a sand dune to provide security during a helicopter assault training course near camp buehring, kuwait, sept. 3, 2009. the marines are assigned to lima company, battalion landing team, 3rd battalion, 2nd marine regiment, 22nd marine expeditionary unit. (u.s. marine corps photo by cpl. theodore ritchie)


a u.s. marine sets security using a squad automatic weapon during a helicopter assault training course near camp buehring, kuwait, sept. 3, 2009.(u.s. marine corps photo by cpl. theodore ritchie)


u.s. marines move through the desert under the concealment of smoke during a helicopter assault training course near camp buehring, kuwait, sept. 3, 2009. (u.s. marine corps photo by cpl. theodore ritchie)


u.s. marines call for a medical evacuation during a helicopter assault training course near camp buehring, kuwait, sept. 3, 2009. (u.s. marine corps photo by cpl. theodore ritchie)


u.s. marines load a notional casualty on an mv-22b osprey during a helicopter assault training course near camp buehring, kuwait, sept. 3, 2009. the air crew is assigned to marine medium tiltrotor squadron 263, 22nd marine expeditionary unit. (u.s. marine corps photo by cpl. theodore ritchie)


ch-53e supper stallion helicopters and mv-22b ospreys land in the kuwaiti desert during a helicopter assault training course near camp buehring, kuwait, sept. 3, 2009. the air crews are assigned to marine medium tiltrotor squadron 263, 22nd marine expeditionary unit. (u.s. marine corps photo by cpl. theodore ritchie)


an mv-22b osprey kicks up sand and dirt as it lands to pick up u.s. marines after they completed a helicopter assault training course near camp buehring, kuwait, sept. 3, 2009. the marines are assigned to lima company, battalion landing team, 3rd battalion, 2nd marine regiment, 22nd marine expeditionary unit, and the osprey crew is assigned to marine medium tiltrotor squadron 263, 22nd marine expeditionary unit. (u.s. marine corps photo by cpl. theodore ritchie)